Dining

Photo: Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt Dining recognizes that food brings people together and creates a sense of place and a feeling of kinship. Food sustains not only our bodies, but also our communities and environment. Vanderbilt Dining is a non-profit, university-managed auxiliary service. As such, it chooses to offer sustainable food choices to Vanderbilt students, employees, and campus visitors. VU Dining’s “Eat the World, Save the Earth” program is designed to give the campus community and visitors information about kitchen principles and how they affect individuals, the environment, and individual and society’s well being. Look for these types of items available in Vanderbilt Dining markets, restaurants, and coffee shops on campus:

Vanderbilt Dining diverts leftover food from the landfill by donating to the Second Harvest Food Bank.

Used vegetable oil is collected by students and processed into biodiesel fuel. This fuel is used to operate many of the university’s maintenance vehicles.

Plastic or paper to-go cups, plates, and cutlery provided in Vanderbilt Dining facilities are all recyclable.

Hydration Stations

Vanderbilt Dining worked in conjunction with S.P.E.A.R. to offer a convenient, touch-free, hygienic, green alternative to bottled water. The result was Hydration Stations. Dining wanted to offer filtered water for students without the need to enter service areas. Thus, Hydration Stations have been installed in The Commons Center and outside of Rand Dining Hall. The Hydration Stations supply pure, fresh water, which is “polished” one final time as it’s dispensed, using state-of-the-art filtration. Touch-free hygienic design enhances the sanitary condition of the appliance at all times.